During a prayer time this morning, we started talking about all the times in scripture, Jesus told us to ask for what we need.  As a long time worshiper, I have long been hesitant to “nag” God about the issues in front of me but, as we talked this morning, I came to realize that even the “model” prayer, the Lord’s prayer, had four requests:  Provision of our needs, forgiveness of our sins, power against temptation, and protection from evil.  So, not to sound greedy or anything but for the first time in a long time I spent the morning asking.  Let me tell you this: there was power in that room.  Not that God didn’t already know what I needed, but that I finally spoke the words, I finally admitted my dependence on the almighty.  There was strength in admitting my weakness.  There was peace in admitting my confusion and joy in admitting my sorrows and frustrations.  I’m not going to let up on the thanksgiving, praise and worship, but from now on, I’m going to be a little less hesitant to ask.  I think I’m learning that there is worship in the asking too.  After all, I’m just doing what I’m told.